These porthole bags are great for critters small to large! There are a variety of sizes and all are needed.
Download the instructions PDF first and then the appropriate size for the project you’re making:
Crochet nests, along with pouches, are the ‘bread and butter’ of the ARC craft guild. We aim to provide every rescuer and veterinary clinic in Australia with at least a few of these. Nests are extremely versatile and are used in the rescue of baby marsupials, birds, reptiles, and even kittens love snuggling up in them!
It’s important that you keep your stitches tight and consistent so that the nest is sturdy. Baby birds will perch on the sides and the nest needs to hold their weight. The nest should be able to hold itself upright without slouching.
The height of your nest’s sides should be the same as its base diameter, plus 1 cm (0.5”) for XS-M nests, and plus 2-3 cm (1”) for large sizes. This is so nest sides can be folded over for extra strength, or to create a deeper nest for birds that nest in tree hollows.
We love receiving ‘nested’ nests, Russian Doll-style. It ensures we receive a good variety of sizes, and makes it really easy to send to carers as a full set.
Nests are a great scrap-buster. Always ensure all ends are firmly woven in so beaks and claws can’t loosen or unravel them.
The best yarn for nests is a simple acrylic yarn. We recommend using at least 2 strands of 8ply with a 5, 5.5, or 6mm hook. Wool is the next preferred yarn. Cotton or linen may be used, but only as a last resort.
Do not use fuzzy, sparkly, or specialty yarns.
Possums love their hidey-holes and adore these cosy homes. These are crochet patterns and we welcome knitted interpretations too.
The main thing to remember with these is to keep your stitches close together so the sides have a good, firm structure. Some variation in size are OK, but please stay as close to the pattern as possible.
Our huge thanks to Maria for creating these fantastic tutorials!
These hanging bags are loved by rescuers because they give growing joeys the freedom to come and go as they please. Joeys of all sizes love jumping in and out of these bags and they can be used day or night.
The lining of these pouches needs to be a nice soft cotton (or other natural fiber), and the outer needs to be a stronger cotton drill. Vigorous little guys will be jumping in and out so make sure all seams are carefully constructed.
There are two main sizes, but you don’t have to be too exact. Larger and smaller bags are welcome too.
Once again, we share our gratitude to Sarah for producing this as an easy, follow-along pattern! Download an easy-to-follow PDF of instructions here.
Naomi of The Sewloist made this awesome video of how to sew the 3D hanging bag. Follow her on Instagram or head to her Etsy shop.
Hanging joey bags are always in need. Older joeys will jump in and out of them many times per day as they get curious and want to explore their environment or play with their friends.
There are two types: ‘day’ bags with a scoop in the front, and ‘night’ bags with no scoop. The day bags let joeys peek out to watch the world go by, whereas the night bags create a nice cozy place to snooze.
These bags have a handle that can be slung over a chair, hook, or shoulder. Sometimes we call them ‘carry bags’, because carers will sometimes tote a needy joey around with them in this sort of bag.
There are three sizes:
Sarah of Piccolo Studio made these awesome, printable patterns for us. Visit her website for full instructions!
Are you a visual learner? Jess did a great how-to video on these hanging pouches. Watch it on Facebook! (You’ll have to be a member of our group.)
Joey pouches keep our babies safe, warm, and secure. In Australia, any marsupial youngster is referred to as a ‘joey’. This includes baby kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, possums, bilbys, and so on. They need these pouches until they are young ‘teenagers’ – sometimes mum has to be pretty firm to kick a joey out of her pouch!
It’s important that pouches are made to the standards we specify so that they are durable and usable by wildlife carers. For example, it’s essential that liners have French seams so that claws don’t catch on threads. It’s also essential that pouches have rounded corners because this is how a joey’s spine develops properly.
Have questions? Read the FAQs.
Download L-XXL printable templates (PDF)
Download M-L printable templates (PDF)
Download XXS-M printable templates (PDF)
Learn how to use the printable templates here. Thank you to Sarah of Piccolo Studio for creating these patterns for us!
There have been many displaced animals due to the fires and COVID-19 and Australia’s pounds and rescue organisations are full. Rescuers are taking on as many as possible, but supplies are dwindling. Making these beds will keep a variety of animals comfortable. These beds will be used for domestic animals as well as wildlife being transported between vets and carers.
These beds are comfortable but not too thick, making them easy to wash and replace frequently. Scared, injured, anxious animals can wee, bleed, vomit, poop, or get their dinner all over these, so their carers need a few per animal.
Fabrics to Use
The recommended outer fabric for these beds is polar fleece. Other warm, sturdy fabrics like chenille or sweater fleece can be used too. Remember, it needs to be highly washable and soft.
Between the two layers of fabric is a layer of padding. An old, clean mattress cover or thin doona (duvet) or blanket would be perfect. (We highly advocate upcycling what you have already!) In a pinch, two more layers of fleece would work too.
It’s important to note that the fabrics you use must be synthetic. This allows liquids to drain away from the animal so it remains comfortable and speeds up drying after washing. (Mattress covers and doonas often have a thin cotton outer – that’s fine.)
These beds are a great project for beginner sewists because nothing needs to be too exact.
